ACLU seeks info on police use of military tactics

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's affiliate of the ACLU is participating in a project examining local police use of military technology and tactics.

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia Foundation and 23 other ACLU affiliates across the country have filed public records requests with law enforcement and military agencies.

In West Virginia, the organization has asked the Charleston and Huntington police departments for information about SWAT teams and cutting edge weapons and technologies, including GPS tracking and unmanned aerial drones. The organization also has asked the West Virginia National Guard for information about cooperative agreements with police departments and incidents of National Guard contact with civilians.

Brenda Green of the West Virginia ACLU says residents deserve to know how much local police are using military weapons and tactics for everyday policing.